Knocking down that ridiculous notion, he kept his response neutral. “I’ve watched her closely and I trust her, sir.”
“That’s what worries me, Richards. I don’t think you see past a pretty face and a bottom that shows to advantage in a saddle. Maybe I should send one of the stock boys to follow her—”
“Don’t mistake my respect for her skill with not seeing what she is really like. After the time I’ve spent with her on this ride, I think I know Sarah Tait well. I’ll keep an eye on her.” Kaiser’s comments disgusted him and his jaw ached with the effort of holding back a response he knew would see him in a disciplinary hearing.
Kaiser took his time answering. “The Stock Squad boys probably won’t get here until this afternoon. They’re driving a float out from Mt. Isa. When they’ve secured the horse, you can follow her. Until then, the horse is your responsibility.” He strode back to the helicopter.
“Yes, sir.” Caleb muttered to Kaiser’s back. It didn’t suit him, and it wasn’t the course of action he thought best in the circumstances, but he would follow orders and pray Sarah was okay on Tabitha until he caught up with them.
As Kaiser climbed aboard, Caleb got his first close look at the two men who had hurt Sarah. He wouldn’t forget them. Or what they had done to her.
##
Caleb put aside the cleaning rag and reassembled his rifle. He ticked off another minor task and seriously considered repacking his camping gear to pass the time until he could leave. His stomach grumbled; toast and a single mug of coffee wouldn’t get him through the day. He tipped his wrist and checked the time. Close enough to lunch. If he made a thermos of coffee and ate now, as soon as the horse float picked up Sir Alain, he would be free to take off.
As he stood and stretched, he looked down the rough track along which the Stock squad would come. A cloud of dust rose above the scraggly trees, and the rumble of a diesel engine became audible. The Stock boys had made excellent time, which meant he would soon be following Sarah. Relief would come when he saw she was okay. He shouldered his just-cleaned rifle and strolled over to pat Sir Alain on the neck. “Not long now, fella. Luxury accommodation for you tonight.”
The stallion edged away from him and Caleb marvelled again at Sarah’s bravery. Riding him bareback and jumping the fence as Sarah had done to escape took real courage. Having seen the power of Sir Alain in motion, getting close to the huge horse made him a little uncomfortable.
Caleb shaded his eyes as the rumble of a diesel engine grew louder and a truck rolled into sight around a bend in the track. The hair on the back of his neck rose. Despite a liberal coating of dust, he could see it wasn’t the government vehicle used by the Stock boys. Careful not to alarm Sir Alain, Caleb loosened the rope holding the stallion to the branch. As the truck slowed, he checked out the people in the cab. There was one face he recognised from Jenner’s stable. Hugo Anstey, whose presence had so upset Aladdin. It looked as though Sir Alain’s guards had radioed for help before being picked up by Kaiser.
The truck stopped and Caleb raised his rifle as the driver leaned out of his window and covered Caleb with a handgun. Hugo got out of the cabin and slowly approached.
“Stay where you are.” Caleb could shoot the gun out of the driver’s hand but Hugo would be on him before he got off a second shot. “There’s more police due any minute to pick up the horse.”
Hugo paused and looked around the campsite before a grin split his face. “But they aren’t here yet. Just you. And two of us. Hand him over, man, and nobody gets hurt.” He edged closer to the stallion.
Sir Alain squealed, spun around on his hind legs and knocked Caleb to the ground. The stallion reared and pawed the air. Desperate to avoid his lethal hooves, Caleb rolled to the side and hit the base of the tree. Winded, he looked up to see the stallion bolting along the route taken by Sarah and Tabitha. Nearby, Hugo lay flat on his back on the ground. Not moving. A trickle of blood ran down his temple. The driver was halfway out of the cab, one hand occupied in holding the door open.
Caleb pushed to his feet. Pain slashed across his ribs. He grunted and leaned against the tree, and raised his rifle. “Drop your weapon.”
Indecision flashed over the driver’s face. His attention moved from Hugo to Caleb, and the rifle Caleb held trained on him. The door of the truck partially shielded him, and Caleb saw the flash of understanding before he hoisted himself into the cabin and started the engine. Gears crunching, the driver took off down the track.
Caleb sagged against the rough bark and pressed a hand to his side. He winced, but figured he had no more than bruising to his ribs. Pushing away from the tree, he staggered a couple of steps and stopped to draw breath before he approached Hugo’s inert body, scanning the ground for a weapon. Finding none, he leaned over and lifted Hugo’s wrist. Beneath his fingers, the young man’s pulse beat slowly.
“Hugo, can you hear me?” He watched for a response. Not even a flicker of the eyelids. “Hugo, wake up.”
Caleb brought out his handcuffs. No point in being caught unawares if Hugo was playing possum but, as he put them on Hugo’s wrists, the man didn’t react. Unwilling to move him, Caleb covered him with a blanket before radioing the Flying Doctor.
His next call was to Kaiser who was not impressed despite the apprehension of another member of the gang, and Caleb giving him the rego of the truck.
“Sir, we did recover the horse and arrest two of the gang who took him.”
“But the horse has bolted and you can’t follow until the Flying Doctor arrives. Can anything else go wrong in this damned case?” It was the first time Caleb had heard his chief lose his cool. Irritating setbacks didn’t usually ruffle his feathers.
“Do you have intel on the Stock squad’s location? Aren’t they approaching from the south? The horse headed that way.”
“Negative on intel. They must be in a black spot. And who’s to say the horse will stay on that course. Forget the Tait woman. Whoever arrives first, I want you searching for that horse as soon as Anstey is in custody or with the Flying Doctor. Got it?”
Caleb signed off and went back to check on his prisoner. He knelt beside the man and bathed his wound. There was no change in his state of consciousness and Caleb checked his pulse again.
Given how badly events had turned out, he had to consider all possibilities, including the scenario of Sarah being implicated. It didn’t ring true with the Sarah he had come to know and respect, but it was one theory. Did her participation take account of all the facts? Dispassionately examining the idea from all angles, he listed further questions to ask before he set Sarah to one side. Without blaming her, nor could he exonerate her until he dug deeper.
By the time Jace and Mark rolled in with the horse float, Caleb had run through several scenarios, including an odd one in which Jenner’s wife featured. Was it possible the woman was an active participant and not the neutral player she pretended to be? After all, the only thing connecting Aladdin with Jenner and Ames was her testimony. She merited further investigation. They might not be connected, but even he had noticed the similarity between Sir Alain and Aladdin once Sarah pointed it out.
No nearer an answer, Caleb stood and shook hands with his colleagues. “The Flying Doctor should be here soon. I’ve got to search for the horse. Kaiser’s orders.”
Jace squatted beside Hugo and squeezed his hand. “Some return pressure; that’s a good sign, isn’t it?”
“Yep. Are you right to stay with him while I look for the horse?”
“Sure, you’ll be faster than us and the horse float in your ute. Good luck. You don’t have much daylight left.”
“I’ll radio you if I find him.”
##
Tabitha plodded on, every step jarring through Sarah’s aching head. Her face felt as though she was sitting too close to an open fire. But if she stopped short of her planned camp, she would struggle to make up ground and finish her ride in the set time. And that would affect donations to the riding school.
>
And so she clung to the reins and tried to focus on the next landmark. Baked earth and the tangy scent of eucalyptus registered as her blocked nose eased. Winter sunlight was easier on her eyes, but still overbright and her right eye kept watering. She tried to remember where her sunglasses were but the last time she’d worn them had been driving Caleb’s four wheel drive.
She turned to admire the countryside, to let the silence and open space soothe her but she spun out. Lightheaded from lack of food, she pushed on towards the thin trickle of a creek before stopping for a break. Starting late and walking as much as they had, the day stretched out before them.
Tabitha got a serving of chaff mixed with linseed oil in her feedbag and Sarah chomped through two energy bars. At best she could stop no more than ten minutes if she was to reach tonight’s campsite in daylight. And she needed to pick up the pace on the next leg. After rationing her water in case Caleb didn’t catch up with her, she quickly repacked. Not that she wanted his company but the supplies he carried were a bonus.
As Sarah untied the reins and prepared to mount up, Tabitha’s ears flicked back and flattened, and she shifted restlessly, tugging on the reins so hard that Sarah needed both hands to hold and soothe her.
What had the mare heard? Sarah searched for approaching villains. Unlikely as it was, she couldn’t rid herself of the sensation she was being followed. Scanning the creek bed for cover, she urged the reluctant mare behind the nearest bushes.
And then she heard the drumming of hooves rapidly approaching. Her mouth was dry as she took out her rifle. With unsteady hands, she raised it to cover the track. If her aim was less than accurate, the rifle in her hands gave her a measure of power if—
Sir Alain burst into view. He was riderless, and the lead rope trailed dangerously between his front legs. Tabitha whinnied a welcome and the stallion veered towards them and slowed.
Keeping a firm grip on the mare’s reins, Sarah holstered the rifle and held out her hand to the stallion. His sides heaved as though he’d run long and hard and there was frothing around his mouth. Displaying less fear than the first time she encountered him, Sir Alain moved close and lipped her hand.
Tabitha lowered her head and Sir Alain stepped in and put his neck over the mare’s. They remained like that as Sarah patted the stallion and looked down the track along which he had come. There should be pursuit of the valuable horse by now. How had he escaped? Had something happened to Caleb?
She held Tabitha’s reins loosely and picked up the stallion’s leading rope. There was no sign of breakage but a feeling of dread began building in her belly. If Sir Alain had somehow got free by accident, Caleb should have caught up with the runaway long before now.
Clicking her tongue to focus their attention on her, Sarah led the two horses into the open. She tied them close together on different branches, and then poured water for the stallion. “There you go, boy. When you’ve had a little rest, we’ll head back up that track and see what’s happened to Caleb.”
Regret for her unfinished challenge flashed through her mind. Turning back now meant there was no way she could finish her ride in the allotted time but what did the ride matter when Caleb might be lying back at camp, injured or—
She couldn’t contemplate the alternative. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she considered the donations that might not materialise when she failed to show up on time. Somehow, she’d make it up to the charity. If all else failed, she’d offer to undertake the entire ride again.
Only please don’t let anything bad happen to Caleb.
Repeating the thought like a mantra, she mounted Tabitha and picked up Sir Alain’s leading rope. Later, she’d think about why it mattered so much. Urging Tabitha into a trot, they rode back the way they’d come.
##
With nothing to go on other than Sir Alain’s original direction, Caleb doggedly followed the track and wondered if he’d have more luck scoping out both sides. What would Sarah do if she was tracking the stallion?
There. He’d done it again, but it was impossible to stop his thoughts turning to her. Concern for her was natural, but the memory of her daring bareback escape on the stallion stirred him and those seconds played on a loop in his brain.
It wasn’t like he was in the market for a relationship. Not when his work occupied most of his time and caring for his mother took up the rest. Wasn’t that why he’d ended a budding acquaintance with Jules from the Mines office after his mother’s accident? Life was unpredictable and he had responsibilities to care for her now. And if his application for transfer to Townsville came through, that would be the end of it.
Sarah. Her inner strength and courage reflected the harsh landscape she moved through so confidently. He couldn’t imagine her on the coast. She belonged out here with her beloved horses doing what she did so well.
So he admired Sarah Tait. What wasn’t there to admire about the horse whisperer? Trim, toned and a natural beauty, she was also one of those women who put others first. Cared for them, protected them. Like his mother did.
Had done.
Oh no, don’t go there.
Thoughts of Sarah persisted as the sun sank lower and shadows lengthened. Maybe he should head straight for her overnight camp now. Blundering around in the dark would benefit no one and he had little time left to search before night fell. Narrowing his eyes against the westering sun, he made out blurred silhouettes that slowly resolved into a huge horse and rider.
And suddenly ahead of him was Sarah on Tabitha with Sir Alain following close beside. He rubbed his eyes and wondered if his mind was playing tricks. As if by thinking about Sarah, he’d conjured her out of the shimmering red landscape.
He pulled up and got out of the ute and waited as the trio cantered up to him. Sarah dismounted, leaving the horses to their own devices, and ran to him.
Without thinking, he opened his arms.
“Thank goodness you’re okay.” She stepped straight into his embrace, her Akubra sliding down her back as she hugged him tightly.
He winced as her hug put pressure on his bruised ribs but he welcomed the pain. Sarah was here and she was safe.
“Are you okay? I thought you’d had an accident. I thought—”
“Bit of excitement but I’m fine. And you?”
She leaned back and nodded. “I’m okay. I—”
Her words hung in the air, unfinished as they locked gazes. He lowered his head. As first kisses went, it was barely there. A simple brushing of his lips over hers before she pulled back.
She touched her fingers to her lips and looked at him as though she’d never seen him before. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to— I’m just so relieved to see you’re safe.”
Caleb searched her face for signs of distress. He hadn’t meant to touch her. He’d never intended to kiss her, but relief had made him forget the things he’d learned and those he’d guessed about her. “In case you didn’t notice, I was the one who kissed you.”
And now he wanted to kiss her again, properly. He waited, aware that for Sarah, that voluntary hug had been a big step. Instinctively he recognised she needed to make the next move, to control how whatever it was between them developed.
“Yes, you did.” Her gaze slid away and she crossed her arms over her stomach.
Ah, well, not today. But he had a small bud of hope now.
Putting a lid on his inconvenient and unexpected awareness of Sarah, Caleb fell back into work mode. “Let’s set up camp here. I’ll put the kettle on and get dinner started if you want to see to the horses. Then you can tell me how Sir Alain came to be tagging along with you.”
##
Caleb boiled up extra water and Sarah took it into the back of the four wheel drive. Her hair would have to wait until she was back home but even the quick strip wash felt like heaven. Shivering as she dried herself and changed into her last clean shirt, Sarah pondered that kiss. If one could call that fleeting touch of Caleb’s lips a kiss.
Why had he kisse
d her? How had she allowed him to kiss her when the mere touch of a hand from other men threw up her barriers? The question was too big for her tired brain to wrangle with. Instead, she focused on how she’d gone from not speaking to him this morning to jumping into his arms. The certainty that Caleb didn’t trust her had melted away beneath her fear that something had happened to him. And didn’t that imply that she cared about him?
The sight of him stepping out of the ute had sent flutters of—something she couldn’t name—racing through her. She could put her reaction down to fatigue and worry, but she hadn’t imagined the relief on his face when she’d appeared with Sir Alain.
His first reaction had been to welcome her, not to check on the stallion. Deep within, a small, secret part of her rejoiced that, if only for this moment in time, she mattered to him. Since when had she become hungry for attention? What a turn up for the books. The jailbird’s daughter and the cop, concerned for each other.
“Sarah? Are you decent?”
Her scattered thoughts took time to process his question. She fastened the last button on her shirt and dragged a thick jumper over her head before answering. “Yes. Did you want me? I mean to talk to.” Was that what her philosophy professor would call a Freudian slip? On the upside, embarrassment warmed her cheeks as she pulled the polo neck of her jumper up to her nose.
“The fire is warm and the coffee is hot. If you’re up to it, we can make a start on your statement.”
The flutters of anticipation sank like small stones into the pit of her stomach. Reality crashed around her. Her statement. She climbed out and the night air slipped inside her collar and chilled her silly fantasy. “Of course. You want to know how I ended up with Sir Alain—again.”
“We can leave it until tomorrow if you like. No rush.”
“If we get it out of the way now, maybe I won’t have to spend hours in the station when I get back.” Or in Caleb’s company. Obviously his presence addled her brains. Why else would she have imagined anything more than relief in his eyes this afternoon?
Long Way Home (Hearts of the Outback Book 3) Page 10